Winter Camera Care Tips

But before you head outdoors, there are a few things you need to know about caring for your camera during the cold, bitter winter months.

Winter Camera Care Tips

Extend the life of your camera and protect your hefty investment by implementing these winter camera care tips:

Keep your camera dry when shooting outdoors. When shooting on wet or snowy days, use a camera sleeve or plastic bag covering with a built-in lens opening that shields your camera from the elements. Carry a soft, absorbent, lint-free cloth at all times and immediately use it to dry any water that might get on your camera or lens.

Keep your camera under your coat when not in use to prevent the shutter lubricant from freezing.

Carry extra batteries and keep them warm at all times. Nothing will drain your camera battery quite like the cold winter air. It’s a good idea to keep spare batteries on hand. Store them in a warm pocket close to your body. Extend the life of your batteries by swapping them out before they’ve completely drained.

Never place your camera bag, lenses or camera on an icy surface. The cold air could freeze any moisture that may have accumulated in your camera and cause permanent damage.

Invest in an insulated bag. Thickly padded insulated bags are worth the investment as they’re designed to protect your camera and gear from the harsh effects of extreme temperatures.

Take preventative measures to avoid condensation when bringing your camera and lenses in from the cold outdoors. When bringing your camera in from the cold outdoors, you run the risk of condensation forming on the inner mechanisms and electrical components. To avoid condensation, you have a few options:

1. Place your camera in an air tight plastic bag before going indoors. Condensation will form on the outside of the plastic bag instead of forming on the inner and outer parts of your camera. Allow your camera to sit in the plastic bag for several hours as it gradually warms to room temperature.

2. Keep your camera in a camera bag or leave on a cold window sill in an unheated room.Use silica gel dessicant packs or bags of rice to wick moisture from the air and allow a few hours for your camera to gradually warm to room temperature.

Protecting your camera from the harsh winter elements is so very simple to do. Just take a little time out to take preventative measures, throw on a coat and get out there and shoot.

Fab tips, thank you!! It gets pretty darn cold here in Oregon! My Canon & I thank you... I never would have thought of some of these tips!! xx

P/S Hey Kristi.. Just curious, I tried to do another tweet today with the raffflecopter for the (AMAZING) Shutter Bag... When I clicked on the tweet box it popped up with "access denied?" Any ideas why? I've never seen that before! So sorry to bug ya with this, but I would prob give my right pinky for that bag! Lol) Sad but true!

Thanks Melanie! I'm so sorry for the trouble. I checked into your entries and it looks like the tweets from 12/11, 12/13 and 12/15 are all showing up on Rafflecopter. Would you mind giving it another try today and let me know if you're still getting the message? Thank you! I hope it works this time. I'm wondering if it's just a system error on their end. Let me know what happens!

These are great tips. I always try to be very cautious in handling my camera. I have to take care that they don't get condensation from the cold. I appreciate your tips and your pictures are wonderful!

Thank you for these tips Kristi! I absolutely love shots of the snow!! I will definitely be using a plastic bag the next time I bring my camera indoors! and thanks for tip about the silica bags. I will be keeping some in my camera bag as well. That third photo is gorgeous!

Wow…..I really appreciate this post. I have been looking everywhere for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You have made my day! Thanks again! “All that is gold does not glitter not all those that wander are lost.” by J. R. R. To8k2en&#li30;.